Somalia
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 5
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 15
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · In January, Majertein militia loyal to Mohamed Said...
- News items in the archive
- 477
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Somalia is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 5 executions in the country, against 15 the year before. The archive holds 477 news items on Somalia, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
FEBRUARY 16, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES TWO AL-SHABAAB CONVICTS OVER DEADLY MOGADISHU ATTACKS
The Somali federal government on February 16, 2026 executed two men convicted of orchestrating a series of deadly assassinations and bombings in the capital, judicial officials confirmed.
- FEBRUARY 12, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: MILITARY COURT EXECUTES TWO MEN CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE KILLINGS IN MOGADISHU
Somalia’s Military Court on February 10, 2026 carried out the execution by firing squad of two men convicted of committing multiple killings in the capital, Mogadishu.
FEBRUARY 5, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: WOMAN EXECUTED FOR MURDERING A CHILD IN A CASE THAT SPARKED OUTRAGE
The authorities in Puntland, a semi‑autonomous region of Somalia, have executed a woman convicted of murdering a 14‑year‑old girl, in a rare case in the region in which the death penalty has been carried out against a woman.
NOVEMBER 11, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: TWO AL-SHABAAB MEMBERS EXECUTED FOR KILLINGS AND AMBUSHES
Somalia’s military court on September 1st, 2025 executed two convicted al-Shabaab members by firing squad after finding them guilty of involvement in killings and ambush attacks.
OCTOBER 14, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: GALMUDUG EXECUTES MAN FOR 2025 MURDER IN GURIEL DISTRICT
Authorities in the Galmudug region on October 9, 2025 executed a man convicted of a premeditated killing, marking the latest enforcement of capital punishment under Somali law.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES EX-SOLDIER TO DEATH FOR AL-SHABAAB ATTACK
A Somali military court on September 1st, 2025 sentenced former soldier Mohamed Bulle Mumin to death after finding him guilty of collaborating with Al-Shabaab and orchestrating a deadly ambush in Kismayo.
- SEPTEMBER 14, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: MILITARY TRIBUNAL EXECUTES 3 AL-SHABAAB TERRORISTS
A military court in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, executed three al-Shabaab terrorists by firing squad on August 7, 2025 for carrying out killings and assassinations in the southwestern region of Lower Shabelle.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES TWO SOLDIERS CONVICTED OF AIDING AL-SHABAAB IN COMMANDER’S KILLING
Two members of the Somali National Army (SNA) were executed on August 11, 2025, following convictions by the Armed Forces Court over links with the al-Shabaab fighters, a group that has destabilized peace in the country for two decades.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES THREE AL-SHABAAB MILITANTS CONVICTED OF DEADLY ATTACKS IN MOGADISHU AND LOWER SHABELLE
Somalia’s military court has carried out the death sentence by firing squad against three convicted members of the militant group Al-Shabaab, officials confirmed on August 14, 2025 morning.
- SEPTEMBER 9, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: TWO KHARIJITES EXECUTED FOR MURDERS IN MOGADISHU
The Military Court of the Armed Forces on August 20, 2025 carried out the execution of two convicted members of the Kharijite terrorist group, who were found guilty of committing multiple murders in the capital, Mogadishu.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: SECURITY FORCES EXECUTE TWO AL-SHABAAB MILITANTS IN MOGADISHU BY FIRING SQUAD
The Somali authorities on August 25, 2025 executed Anas Abdulqadir Ali Mahmoud “Salman” and Aden Mursal Mohamed Lidow, members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, who were convicted of carrying out bombings and targeted killings.
AUGUST 20, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES HARAMCAD OFFICER TO DEATH FOR KILLING UNARMED CIVILIAN
A Somali military court on August 2, 2025 sentenced a former officer from the Haram'ad special police unit to death by firing squad after finding him guilty of murdering an unarmed day labourer in a brazen, unprovoked shooting that has reignited public de
MARCH 26, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: SNA SOLDIER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING COMMANDER
Hussein Hassan Mahmoud Ma'da, a soldier in the Somali National Army, has been sentenced to death by firing squad for the murder of Sergeant Major Shafi'i Mohamed Hansi Ali, a group commander, HOL reported on March 26, 2025.
- FEBRUARY 19, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
‘HE THOUGHT HE’D BE FREED’: FAMILY MOURNS SOMALI MAN EXECUTED IN SAUDI ARABIA
The news came with chilling finality: Mohamed Nur Hussein, a Somali man imprisoned for seven years in Saudi Arabia, had been executed on February 16. His family, who had spoken to him only a day earlier, were left in shock.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO BURNED PREGNANT WIFE
The Supreme Court of Somalia on September 18, 2024 upheld the death sentence for Sayid-Ali Moalim Daud, who was convicted of the brutal murder of his pregnant wife, Luul Abdiaziz, in January 2024.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: PUNTLAND COURT SENTENCES AL-SHABAAB SPY TO DEATH, THREE OTHERS TO LONG PRISON TERMS
A military court in Puntland has confirmed the death sentence of 50-year-old Abdisalan Salad Shuaib, who was convicted of spying for the militant group Al-Shabaab, Hiiran On Line reported August 13, 2024.
- SEPTEMBER 4, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA EXECUTES 10 AL SHABAAB INSURGENTS, POLICE SAY
Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland executed 10 fighters from Islamist militant group al Shabaab on August 17, 2024, the region's police said in a statement.
JULY 18, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: TWO EX-SECURITY OFFICERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF STUDENT
Two former security officials on July 16, 2024 were sentenced to death in Somalia for murder of a student.
JULY 17, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: AL-SHABAAB FIGHTERS EXECUTED BY FIRING SQUAD
Five al-Shabaab militants on July 16, 2024 were executed by authorities in Somalia.
JULY 16, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: AL-SHABAAB EXECUTES 5 MEN FOR ALLEGEDLY SPYING FOR U.S., SOMALIA AND KENYA
The militant group Al-Shabaab on July 13, 2024 executed five men accused of spying for the U.S., Kenya, and the Somali government.
JUNE 9, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT EXECUTES THREE MEN FOR MURDER OF TWO BROTHERS IN DHUSAMAREB
A Somali military court in Galmudug State executed three men in a public square in Dhusamareb town on June 6, 2024 for the murder of two brothers in December 2023.
MAY 23, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: PUNTLAND MILITARY COURT SENTENCES FOUR AL-SHABAB AFFILIATES TO DEATH AND PRISON TERMS
A Puntland military court sentenced four defendants to death and prison terms on May 21, 2024 for their links to the al-Shabab militant group.
MAY 20, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT RELEASES SIX MOROCCANS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR REPATRIATION
A military court in Somalia has released the six Moroccan nationals who were recently sentenced to death by a military court in northern Somalia in late February.
- APRIL 8, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: POLICE OFFICERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
Two police officers on April 4, 2024 were sentenced to death in Somalia by a military court.
MARCH 31, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: A COURT IN GALMUDUG STATE EXECUTES TWO MEN BY FIRING SQUAD FOR MURDER
A court in the Galgadud region on March 28, 2024 executed two men by firing squad for murder, in different cases.
- MARCH 6, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES SIX MOROCCANS TO DEATH FOR TERRORISM
A military court in northern Somalia on February 29, 2024 sentenced six Moroccan nationals to death on terrorism charges.
- JANUARY 16, 2024SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: AL-SHABAAB EXECUTES SEVEN IN JILIB OVER ESPIONAGE ALLEGATIONS
The militant group Al-Shabaab on January 15, 2024 carried out a public execution of seven individuals in Jilib, Middle Juba region.
- NOVEMBER 21, 2023SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALI: MILITARY COURT EXECUTES SOLDIER FOR MURDER IN GALMUDUG
In the Galgaduud region's Guriceel city, Somalia's Military Court executed soldier Abdisalan Ali Ahmed on November 19, 2023 for the murder of Abdullahi Ali Hudey.
NOVEMBER 8, 2023SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: COURT UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCE FOR DRIVER OVER POLICEMAN'S DEATH
A military court in Mogadishu has upheld the death sentence slapped on a tuk-tuk driver who had been convicted of murdering a police officer in Mogadishu.
NOVEMBER 2, 2023SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: FIVE MEN EXECUTED FOR MURDER IN SOMALILAND
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland on November 1st, 2023 executed five men for murder in Hargeisa.